Not too shabby

My eternal quest for the perfect mascara (followed closely by my quest for the perfect lip gloss, of course) has brought me to L'Oreal's Waterproof Telescopic Explosion. As you can see, it has a completely different brush. It's looks like a teeny tiny torture device. You know what I'm talking about- you see them in all the medieval movies.

Anywho, this brush is outstanding at getting every single lash. Even the hard to reach ones in the corners. The color is pitch black, an absolute must for me. And I gotta tell you, it's got some pretty impressive staying power. I can wear it all day with zero under eye smudges!! It's very reasonably priced and can be found anywhere. So, if you're on the hunt like me, give this a try. I was really pleasantly surprised and I think you will be, too.

They're a steal!!

I have been in LOVE with Kat Von D's makeup line since it debuted with Sephora several years ago. It's edgy and cool and vampish in just the right way. Here's the good part- you can choose her more muted shades if you aren't quite ready to make the leap into the colors you see above.

The reason for this post is because Sephora has all her duo eyeshadows on sale for $10 each. This is a bargain! They are good sized and the colors are so richly pigmented that a little goes a long way. I like to apply it with a wet brush so that the color stays true all day. My personal favorites? Confessional (for the faint of heart), Riff Raff (for the braver of heart), and Sixxshooter (for the rock and rollers).

Here's your link!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P257206&categoryId=C10214&shouldPaginate=true

It's pricey, I'm not going to lie. But...

I know, I know. I normally recommend stuff that is pretty inexpensive. Times are tough and wallets are slim. But, I have a product that ACROSS THE BOARD, magazines and beauty editors and makeup artists have raved about. It's from the cosmetics line Fresh and it's their "Sugar Plum Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15." Now, I know the color looks pretty dark and dramatic. The good news is that it leaves a perfect berry stain on your lips. Not too dark, not too goth. Just a beautifully moisturizing color that also protects against the insane sun that is literally frying everything in site.

This is also a great transition lip color for the fall. You can layer it to make the color more intense when the temps (finally) drop! You can find it at Fresh's website and Sephora.

Serious deals!

I have stumbled upon some great deals for you guys. Let me share the wealth!

1. Get 20% off your entire order at www.benefitcosmetics.com with the code SUMMER20 today and tomorrow only.

2. Order $20 worth of stuff at www.eyeslipsface.com, and you can get 10 (yes, TEN) mineral eyeshadows free! Just add $20 worth of product, the 10 eyeshadows you want and then use code EGMES at checkout.

In the most recent "O" magazine, Oprah's minions have gotten some great deals arranged for her readers. Now, I know not all of you are readers. But I am! Here are the highlights:

1. 25% off your entire order of Tarte Cosmetics at www.tarte.com with code OPRAH

2. For the curly haired darlings, go to www.ouidad.com and order the Love Your Curls Starter Kit. Use the code OPRAH, and you'll get $10 off.

3. A fantastic-ly, super flattering kit from Smashbox can be yours for a great price as well. Go to www. smashbox.com, order the Blushing Pink Beauty Kit, use the code OPRAH and get it for $25.

An ugly secret

Yes, I do write a beauty blog. But, that doesn't mean that all parts of me are in constant, perfect shape. Let's start with area #1- my fingernails/cuticles. I have short, wide, stubby fingernails. I was not blessed with long, beautiful, naturally ridge free nail beds. Nope. I get little squares with what I like to call "jungle cuticles." My cuticles grow up onto my fingernails like some sort of rainforest plant. They're awful. In short, my hands are not my pride and joy.

Fortunately for me, Burt's Bees makes an AMAZING little product called Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream. Now, we all know I love things that smell good. This stuff is lemonade in a tin. You only need a teeny amount on each nail to make a big difference. I love rubbing this stuff in right before I go to bed so that it can soak in all night. I wake up with pretty, shiny, non-cuticle-y fingernails and I am a happy camper! And, it also makes me feel like I don't have to wear gloves all day. You know, to hide the uggo hands. ;)

A reader shared this link

Want a free sample of John Frieda's new Root Awakening Shampoo and Conditioner? Go here:
http://www.johnfrieda.com/promotions/promoOptin.asp?promo=jf_rasample10&enl_campaign=

and just sign up. That's it! How easy is that??

Such a cool idea

I read in an article lately that a lot of actresses use this trick when wearing a short dress on the red carpet. They will buy a bottle of inexpensive liquid foundation (i.e. drugstore brand) and will mix it with the lotion that they are putting on their legs. It gives a nice, even color and helps disguise any unsightly veins, bruises, scars, etc. Something to try in these summer days when you're still wearing short dresses and skirts!

Run, don't walk

Philosophy is having their bi-annual special of 3 of their shampoo/conditioner/body washes for $33. Seeing as they are usually $16 a piece, this is a great price. So, get one for yourself and 2 for gifts. Or, just get them all for you. When is the last time you treated yourself??

Post #200!!!

Holy cow! I just looked at my post count and this is blog #200!! WHAT? That's crazy! I guess I'd better make it memorable, then!

Do you see that up there? Take just a minute to admire. And then sit down. This is mind blowing! That is Sephora Collection's new "Color Play- 5-in-1." You get 5 different palettes that snap together and can be put into a convenient compact. Each palette contains 10 eyeshadows, 2 lip colors, and a blush. Um, are you kidding me? So, that's 50 eyeshadows, 10 lip colors, and 5 blushes total? And it costs $29.50. Yes, you read that right. Not $295. Twenty nine dollars and 50 cents. Let's just say that you're done buying makeup for a LONG time with this. Jump on this. It's going to sell out.

I have finally found it!!

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know I am a big proponent for exfoliation all over. Nothing feels better than soft, smooth skin; wouldn't you agree?

Now, I will say that I am pretty picky about my exfoliants for my body. I don't like them to be too goopy or oily. I do not want any residue left behind. Ick. However, I also don't want to feel like someone has taken a sandblaster to my elbows and knees. There is a very fine line. Enter St. Ives In-Shower Body Polish in Collagen Elastin. This stuff has no cloying smell. No drippy residue. No awful texture. It's paste like and smells clean. The polishing grains are small, but effective. In short, if St. Ives ever stops making this stuff, I'm in big trouble.

I picked my ginormous tub up at Kroger for all of $7.00. So, this stuff is easily found and I think the price absolutely cannot be beat! Bonus! If you are a self tanner, this scrub would be perfect to use before you apply your tanner. There's no greasiness left over that can mess up your application.

A little nostalgia

When I was a kid, I would go over to my grandparents' house during the summer when my parents were at work. Of course, there were all sorts of treats there that I wasn't allowed to have at the house. One of my absolute favorites was when my grandmother would buy Hawaiian Punch or Hi-C. Ohhhhh, you bright red sources of juicy, artificially flavored deliciousness! I would only have these to drink in the summer, so they will forever represent summertime as a kid to me.

I'm a grownup now and I know better. But, I have found at least a substitute that does not include high fructose corn syrup. :) Skintimate Shave Gel in Strawberry Tangerine Twist. The smell is SPOT ON with the delectable beverages of my childhood. Oh, and I get a great, close shave with this stuff. So yes, my recommendation today is strictly based on how yummy something smells. But hey- at least I shared my find, right?

Something to drool over

Fall/Winter 2010 is bringing in a wave of lady-like loveliness. Gone are the slouchy t-shirts and torn leggings and slapped together looks. The look is definitely more "done" than it has been in some time. (And I, for one, could not be happier!)

Anywho, I don't think it's a coincidence that during this emergence of elegance that Burberry is releasing its first beauty line. They are starting small with a few keys pieces. The idea behind it was to look classically cool. Just like their iconic trench coat. What do I love the most? They put their trademarked plaid design on all the cosmetics!! (See the lipstick above- how gorgeous is that?)

Keep in mind that this is Burberry which of course means not cheap. But, it sure is pretty and if nothing else, it's something amazing to admire. Of course, if you are flush with cash, you can run to your nearest Nordstrom, or Burberry if you're across the pond, and purchase a beautifully crafted tube of lipstick for only $30.

Discounts-a-go-go!!

Got some great coupon codes and sales for you for the holiday weekend!

First, use the code "FIREWORKS" on http://www.tartecosmetics.com/ for 30% off your entire order until July 5! I would recommend one of their cheek stains (lovely push pop shaped gel colors that won't run off your face in the heat) or their EyeQuatic Waterproof Essentials Set (shown above) for eye makeup that is truly going to go the distance!!

Benefit Cosmetics is having their "Sale-A-Bration" going on over the holiday weekend as well. Go to http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/ and check out their options. I like the "Bright Lights, Big City" kit. So fun!

I know I tend to harp on this a lot; but please, please, PLEASE remember your sunscreen this weekend while you're out playing in the sun. The Neutrogena ones are the absolute best. I am walking proof that they do!!